Council making mistake not flying Pride flag - MP

An MP has said a council is "making a mistake" by not flying the LGBTQ+ flag at a historic location associated with Britain's "first modern lesbian".

Calderdale Council will not fly the rainbow flag in the grounds of Shibden Hall, where 19th Century industrialist Anne Lister, also known as Gentleman Jack, wrote her famous diaries, including about her love affairs with women.

When asked by the BBC about the policy, the newly-controlled Reform UK council said it would fly only the union flag from Halifax Town Hall to "represent all the people of the borough".

Kate Dearden, Labour MP for Halifax, said: "I'm hugely disappointed the new council has already failed to show common sense."

"Why, when Shibden Hall and Anne Lister's legacy have done so much to put Halifax on the map in recent years, can we not celebrate our community's proud history of rights for the LGBT+ community?" she asked.

Shibden Hall is the former home of Lister, a confident Yorkshire businesswoman whose nickname derived from her strong, masculine frame and unladylike attire.

It is now owned by Calderdale Council and open to the public but is strongly associated with the LGBTQ+ community and is where Lister wrote meticulous notes about how she was maligned for being gay.

Dearden said the local authority's decision to fly a union flag throughout the year was "something I support" but banning all others was "nonsense".

Council leader Dan Sutherland said: "We are proud to fly the union flag at Halifax Town Hall throughout the year.

"This is not about banning any particular flags but rather ensuring that all the people of the borough are represented."

He added that the council's "flag flying protocol" will be reviewed at a future date.

Meanwhile Labour councillor Sarah Courtney has set up a page to raise money for Pride banners that she plans to display "legally" across the borough.

The banners cost £250 each and she has so far raised more than £4,000.

Her fundraising page said: "Flying a Pride flag promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion by acting as a visible marker of safety, solidarity, and allyship."

Dearden added: "I urge the council to change its rules and let Shibden Hall celebrate Pride month... I hope all residents who believe in tolerance, community, and celebrating Halifax's history let the council know they're making a mistake."

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